Strong leadership, clear progression and a supportive culture are key to retaining salon staff. Salon owner Lesley Caster shares practical strategies to build loyalty and motivation.
Your team is the backbone of your business and, as a business owner, I believe that strong leadership and a clear pathway are essential for team equilibrium and retention.
Making your team feel valued is key; ensuring that as well as meeting the needs of the business, an employer should try to consider the needs of the individual and make every effort to try to accommodate the personal needs of the employee while considering and matching them with the needs of the business.
Lead by example to build trust and retention
I always try to lead by example and would never ask a member of my team to do anything I wouldn’t be prepared to do myself. I also make a point of being available, even when I am not in the salon.
My team know that I am always at the end of the telephone. If I can’t answer straight away, they know I will get back to them as soon as I can and deal with any questions they have at the earliest opportunity.
Create a clear career pathway for salon staff
Draw up a hierarchy that identifies the structure of the business and where each member of the team sits within that structure.
This will ensure the team understands what their individual role is, who they are responsible to and who and what they are responsible for.
It provides a clear strategy on personal progression. Along with detailed job descriptions and pre-requisites for progression, the team will be able to identify the requirements and skills needed to progress to the next level.
The importance of leadership and delegation in salons
Strong leadership and clear delegation are vital for smooth operational systems. Providing clear strategies that identify roles, duties, responsibilities and expectations will ensure operational success.
Delegation plays a vital role in ensuring the job gets done when it should, and the team needs a clear strategy on what to do, how to do it and when to do it. This ensures everyone develops autonomy and everything is done correctly and on time.
Reward progression to improve staff retention
A strong progression route ensures the team knows what they need to do to succeed and be rewarded for their efforts with either promotion or other staff rewards.
Team building ideas to strengthen salon culture
Team building is essential; days out, treats for the team and positive engagement with all team members will create a culture of trust and help therapists know they are highly valued and trusted to be able to carry out their role successfully.
Golden rules for salon staff retention
• Encouragement and motivation: These are the keys to a driven team and staff retention.
• One-to-ones, to check in on their progression, personal feelings and wellbeing, will identify areas where improvement or further training may be necessary and will also help to avoid burnout in therapists.
• Reinforcement: Repeatedly acknowledging good work builds long-term loyalty.
• Constant CPD and mentoring help keep motivation levels high.
• Take time out for team development days; this allows more experienced therapists to guide and help build the skills of younger or less experienced therapists.
• Provide clear pathways with clear strategies – lists, lists and more lists if necessary to help team members become competent, confident and autonomous, and to be happy in their role.
Ultimately, a happy and confident team makes for a happy and confident salon owner, and a well-organised and well-run beauty salon.
About Lesley Caster
Lesley Caster is the owner of City Retreat salons in Newcastle, which have won multiple Professional Beauty Awards. Caster has over 30 years’ experience as a beauty therapist, educator and employer, with 22 years of that as a salon owner.
Learn more: salon team management event
Get more tips on working with a team from Lesley Caster at the Empower Your Team to Deliver: Building Structure, Progression & Loyalty panel at the Leeds Regional Growth Summit – at 11.15am on Monday, June 8.
Register for free to secure your place at the Leeds Regional Growth Summit here.
